CITRUS DEVELOPMENT

Northern Advocate, 21 April 1933, Page 3

CITRUS DEVELOPMENT

MARKETING PROBLEMS. ■ The following correspondence, resulting from publication of the open letter in the ‘ ‘ Advocate ’ ’ on April 10 will prove of interest to all interested in the progress of eitriculture in the north of New Zealand, and serve to show that the interests of these ‘‘side lines,” as they are

sometimes called, are really important, and, as the Dominion becomes

more and more self-supporting, must form an important part in the life of the nation and in the products which go to make the full diet of the people. The following is the text of a letter received by Mr Geo. A. Green from the general manager of the New Zealand Fruit-Growers’ Federation, Ltd., in reply, to the former’s letter, sent to the associations and growers, dealing with the marketing of citrus fruit, especially Poorman orange as a breakfast fruit and for marmalade, also the marketing of New Zealand-grown lemons.

The general manager, Mr H. W. Napier, says: “We sympathise with the remarks you have made in this connection, but before making any commitment in regard to ‘Dominion mark’ scheme, we would, of necessity, have to have some idea of the quantities which would likely be marketed under that scheme, and the amount of advertising that wo would be able to do from the revenue derived therefrom.

“In regard to the advertising outlined under your heading No. 4, this is all being done under the ‘Dominion mark' at 'the present time. “There is no compulsory case levy under the ‘Dominion mark/ as it is purely a voluntary scheme until such time as the grower comes under it. However, we claim for it a distinct measure of success, which we believe will grow from year to year. “As far as we can see, it is hopeless to expect the Government to make any compulsory move of a nature suggested by you. We have been trying for years to get an alteration to the Local Control Act without success. It appeals to the writer that the years spent in waiting to get these compulsory measures passed are so many years wasted, unless the Government ultimately accedes to the request. This has certainly been the' case with the local marketing of fruit, and now that the ‘Dominion mark’scheme has been launched, we believe that it can be extended so as to avoid the necessity of compulsory control being used.” Mr Green replied as follows, under date 18th inst;—

“Dear Mr Napier,—l have yours of the 11th today re marketing citrus fruit, especially the so-called Poorman orange. Owing to the holidays, I have not been able to get into touch with the officers of the association. However I have had several copies made and sent to the Auckland association and other bodies. The Auckland association will in due time reply officially to your kind letter. Personally, however, I may say that I am very pleased that you approve my remarks in reference to the marketing of the orange above mentioned. “In reference to advertising and marketing. lam pleased to know that you approve the general remarks made in my letter, and further that you consider that the work outlined is now being done under the ‘Dominion mark’ scheme, I presume this remark applies to apples, etc. I was not aware that you had started with the Poorman. I presume this is ip mind for the future. When are you proposing to put the scheme into operation for this fruit? Unless something is done effectively shortly, instead of an increased demand and the New Zealand article taking the pla’ce of the much advertised American variety, our supply will get less and less, on account of the fact that it is not being advertised and its value is not being placed effectively before the public. “I shall be glad to assist you in any way when you are ready to start the advertising scheme. I may state that at the present time the annual output of this orange cannot be less than 45,00 to 50,000 bushel eases. If your federation can assist the advertising of this health-giving fruit, it will benefit the public and assist a growing industry. Your federation, with its Dominion-wide organisation should be the one most fitted to do so.”